Hi everyone!
I hope you’re all doing well, and that you survived both our mini-heatwave this week, and avoided getting washed away in Saturday’s torrents!
You may have seen in the press that the Prime Minister gave permission last Tuesday for places of worship to open for services from July 4th, albeit under social distancing and Covid-prevention hygiene measures. The Government has not yet issued any guidance about what these measures will need to be, and the restrictions under which we will have to hold any services. Once they have done this, the Church of England will in turn issue its guidance, which is what we must follow, applying it to our context.
Although we are very much looking forward to being able to meet once more in our church buildings, I think it’s fair to say that starting services in church again is going to be complex. We must do so with sensitivity, recognising that some will still not be able to access them, and also that many have valued our online Sunday services and social gatherings after. However, we must also acknowledge what we’ve lived through during these last months, and the grief and loss that have impacted so many. I will be in contact with you all, once our Wardens and I have agreed our plans.
We’re again exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans this week, looking at chapter 6, verses 12-23: “The ‘Presents’ of God”.
Do watch the video here at 9.30AM on Sunday 28th, and then, as usual, join us here on Zoom (Meeting ID: 864 0083 1074; Password: 549794) from 10.15AM for a catch-up with all your Cranmer Group friends.
And of course you can also catch up later with the Online Service, on our YouTube channel here.
Our worship this morning is, as usual, led by Deb and Deborah, but with an added twist. Deborah Davies has recruited a couple of her promising young singers to lead us in one of our hymns – Jake Broughton from Whatton and Rose Tomlinson from Orston, singing in Deborah’s garden, with her accompanying them from inside the house! It’s great – thank you all so much.
Our hymns today are:
Take My Life
Sung by Jake Broughton (Whatton) & Rose Tomlinson (Orston), accompanied by Deborah Davies
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Frances Havergal
Ye Servants of God
Played by Deb Hubbard
Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
And publish abroad his wonderful name;
The name all-victorious of Jesus extol;
His kingdom is glorious and rules over all.
God ruleth on high, almighty to save;
And still he is nigh, his presence we have;
The great congregation his triumph shall sing,
Ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.
Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!
Let all cry aloud, and honour the Son;
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
Fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.
Then let us adore, and give him his right:
All glory and power, all wisdom and might,
All honour and blessing with angels above
And thanks never-ceasing, and infinite love.
Charles Wesley
As usual, if you’d prefer to read rather than listen to the podcast, the sermon transcript, reading and prayers can be downloaded here:
And if you cannot make it to our churches for private prayer (see the homepage for the times when each church is open every week), do keep joining us for our online prayer gatherings:
To join Morning Prayer on Zoom, Wednesdays & Fridays 9.00-9.30AM, click here (meeting ID: 873 3636 1158; Password: 629570).
To join Evening Prayer on Zoom, Thursdays 8.00-8.30PM, click here (meeting ID: 873 3636 1158; Password: 629570).
Best wishes, and God bless,
Rev. Tim Chambers
Vicar
The Cranmer Group
E-mail: curate@stgilesparish.com
Mobile: 07946 526569